Why did you choose Ropes & Gray to start your legal career?

I wanted to join a firm that gave trainees genuine responsibility from the outset, but also provided appropriate support when needed. You can tell from the streamlined teams at the firm that Ropes & Gray encourages trainees to get heavily involved at an early stage of their careers. Moreover, Ropes & Gray’s culture generates an environment of approachability and support that’s visible and felt throughout all levels of the firm.

How did you find the recruitment and selection process?

Every step of the process was relevant to the job and immersed us in the firm and its culture. We were evaluated throughout the whole vacation scheme, instead of the two weeks culminating in a final training contract interview, and there was significant emphasis placed on really getting to know people in order to find answers to our questions. I remember speaking to a trainee on secondment in Hong Kong to learn about her experience abroad in preparation for a client pitch.

How would you describe the firm’s culture?

The firm prides itself on its culture of approachability and support. Everybody is friendly and the collegial environment at all levels and between practice groups not only makes Ropes & Gray a great place to work, but also leads to an extremely successful firm.

Tell us about a memorable matter you’ve worked on.

One of the reasons I was attracted to Ropes & Gray was the promise of regular multi-jurisdictional work. One matter, in particular, involved six jurisdictions and lasted the duration of my first seat in Finance. Not only did I have to liaise with numerous individuals simultaneously, but also navigate schedules as the various parties were spread across five different time zones. I’d begin my morning by connecting with colleagues in Asia, followed by the European entity towards lunchtime, and then our US team in the afternoon. This process occurred on a daily basis for around five months and provided great exposure to the lifecycle of a multi-jurisdictional finance transaction early on in my first seat.

What tips would you give a potential applicant?

Be honest about what you want from your career and how you can achieve this at Ropes & Gray. Don’t be afraid to really sell yourself whilst ensuring that your answers illustrate why you would be suited to a legal career generally, and at Ropes & Gray specifically.